Running notebook: Documentary rekindles 'Spirit of the Marathon'

Updated 8:38 pm, Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Every marathon runner has a story. Filmmaker Jon Dunham told six of them in his popular 2008 documentary, "Spirit of the Marathon," which tracked two professionals and four amateurs as they trained for and competed in the 2005 Chicago Marathon.

Now Dunham is back with a sequel of sorts. "Spirit of the Marathon II" focuses on seven athletes who participated in the 2012 Rome Marathon. It will screen at 7 p.m. June 12 at select area theaters.

Dunham visited two U.S. states and six countries to film the participants. He then lived in Rome for five months, touring the course and planning the shoot.

"There are no 'take 2s' when you are filming a race in progress," said Dunham, who has run 25 marathons.

Ylenia Anelli, a running store owner in Milan, Italy, attempting her first marathon, is one of the seven athletes preparing for the Rome Marathon profiled in the upcoming documentary "Spirit of the Marathon II."

Ylenia Anelli, a running store owner in Milan, Italy, attempting her first marathon, is one of the seven athletes preparing for the Rome Marathon profiled in the upcoming documentary "Spirit of the Marathon

Domenico Anzini preparing for the 2012 Rome Marathon, in still from "Spirit of the Marathon II."

Domenico Anzini preparing for the 2012 Rome Marathon, in still from "Spirit of the Marathon II."

Photo: Courtesy NCM Fathom Events

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The 2012 Rome Marathon, in still from "Spirit of the Marathon II."

The 2012 Rome Marathon, in still from "Spirit of the Marathon II."

Photo: Courtesy NCM Fathom Events

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The 2012 Rome Marathon, in still from "Spirit of the Marathon II."

The 2012 Rome Marathon, in still from "Spirit of the Marathon II."

Photo: Courtesy NCM Fathom Events

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Running notebook: Documentary rekindles 'Spirit of the Marathon'

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Dunham's race-day crew included 135 camera operators, runner escorts, pilots, golf-cart drivers and production assistants. He also used two helicopters and a crane to capture key shots. To keep track of seven people in the 12,000-strong field, the producers had the runners carry flags.

The profiled athletes include an American woman running a marathon a week to honor her late father and raise funds for pancreatic cancer research; a Milanese running store owner attempting her first marathon; a Ukrainian Olympic marathon hopeful; and a two-time Olympian from Rwanda, one of the few professional runners in that country.

As before, the film will feature interviews with legends in the sport, including Paula Radcliffe, Frank Shorter and Kathrine Switzer. Additionally, the night will present behind-the-scenes interviews, deleted scenes and outtakes.